Alphabet in Estonian Language

Understanding the Estonian alphabet is vital to learn the Estonian Language. Estonian alphabet composition is applied in a day-to-day conversation. With out the Estonian alphabet, it is impossible to say the Estonian terms properly even if you can write those words in Estonian. Learn More

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As with any language, the far better you articulate a letter in a word, the better understood you will be in conversing in the Estonian language. Listed here are links that directs you to the Estonian alphabet and exactly how it really is pronounced in English.

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Vowels in Estonian Alphabet

a	like a in father
e	like e in get
i	like ee in flee
o	like o in order
u	like oo in moon
ä	like a in hat
ö	like German ö, similar to e in her
ü	like German ü, similar to ew in few
õ	a uniquely Estonian sound pronounced with the tongue in the same position as the o sound, but with lips unrounded; kind of halfway between the e in get and the u in hung. The closest sound in English is the "i" in "cousin" or "ai" in "bargain"
The duration of vowel sounds can be short, long, or overlong, depending on the word. Short vowels are written with one letter, long and overlong vowels with two. Overlong vowels often change the
pitch or stress of the syllable as well as the duration. There is no written distinction between long and overlong vowels. Example:
short sada (SAH-dah) →	one hundred
long saada (SAAH-dah) →	send!
overlong saada (SAAAH-dah) →	to get

Consonants in Estonian Alphabet

c	like ts in hats
h	silent at the beginning of a word; before a vowel like English h; before a consonant harshly pronounced guttural h
j	like y in yes
q	like k in kitchen
r	trilled, like Spanish rr
s	like s in soap
š	like sh in shoe
ž	like s in measure
w	like v in very
x	like x in excite [ks sound]
b d f g k l m n p t v y z	pronounced as in English
Consonants can appear doubled, such as kk, pp, tt, etc.	They are pronounced by inserting a glottal stop or prolonging the duration of the consonant.

Semi Vowels/ Diphthongs in Estonian Alphabet

ae	as the 'ie' in "diet" [two sounds]
ai	as the 'ai' in "aisle"
äe	as the 'ae' in "aesthetic"
ei	as the 'ay' in "play"

The first syllable of a word is always stressed

Except in some foreign words such as Ameerika (ah-MEHH-ree-kah).

[table id=estonian filter=”Special Consonant Cluste

Alphabet in Estonian Language